Ornamental roof tiles
Ornamental roof tiles are plain tiles with a shaped bottom edge, laid in bands to decorate a roof or a tile-hung wall. Tudor handmakes seven shapes, each 265 × 165 mm so they course in with our plain tiles: club, D.S. club, bullnose, fishtail, arrowhead, diamond and snubnose.
Seven ornamental shapes
Club
Catalogue no. 20
D.S. club
Catalogue no. 21
Bullnose
Catalogue no. 22
A fully rounded tail.
Fishtail
Catalogue no. 23
A tail that narrows, then flares like a fish’s tail.
Arrowhead
Catalogue no. 24
A long pointed tail.
Diamond
Catalogue no. 25
A shorter point that forms diamonds in a band.
Snubnose
Catalogue no. 26
A square tail with the corners cut off.
Where ornamental roof tiles go
Ornamentals are usually laid in bands across a roof or wall, and used on gables, dormers, window cheeks and between bay windows. Mixing two shapes or two colours gives patterns such as diamonds and scales.
Because they are the same size as our plain tiles, ornamentals keep the same gauge and lap and course straight in. See tile hanging.
Shapes for modern designs
Ornamental shapes can be made to new proportions too. For the award-winning music school at King’s College School, Wimbledon, we handmade elongated arrowhead tiles 400 mm long and 100 mm wide, set in a geometric pattern designed by Hopkins Architects. About bespoke tiles.
Ornamental tiles: specification
| Size (nominal) | 265 × 165 mm (10½ × 6½ in) |
|---|---|
| Shapes | Club, D.S. club, bullnose, fishtail, arrowhead, diamond, snubnose |
| Fixing | As plain tiles: nibs and two nail holes |
| Colours | All standard Tudor colours |
| Standard | BS EN 1304, UKCA and CE marked |
Figures are nominal averages: handmade tiles vary slightly by design. E&OE.
Made to BS EN 1304 with UKCA and CE marking, and tested every year by Lucideon, a UKAS-accredited laboratory. See the certificates.
Colours
Made in every colour of the Tudor range, each packed separately so your roofer can blend them on site.
Questions about ornamental tiles
Can ornamental tiles be used on a roof?
Yes. They are usually laid in bands among plain tiles, as well as on tile-hung walls, gables and dormers.
Do ornamental tiles match your plain tiles?
Yes. They are the same size, clay and colours, so they course in at the same gauge.
Can you make a shape that isn’t listed?
Yes. We make bespoke shapes from a sample or a drawing, usually within 4–6 weeks.
Also in the range
- Tile hangingHandmade plain and ornamental tiles for walls, gables and dormers.
Handmade plain tilesThe classic nibbed clay tile, 265 × 165 mm, with a deep double camber.
Plain tile fittingsEave and top tiles, gable tiles, and external and internal angles.
Bespoke roof tilesAny size or shape, from like-for-like pegs to 400 mm arrowheads.
See the tiles before you choose
We deliver samples by hand wherever we can, and you are welcome at the factory in Lydd by appointment.